Allen & Gledhill LLP has one of the largest M&A teams in Singapore and Southeast Asia. The firm is rated for Singapore takeovers, real estate deals, healthcare and financial services M&A, and for its growing standing in private equity (particularly private equity real estate). It advised Ascott Reit Manager on the S$1.2bn combination of Ascott Reit and Ascendas Hospitality Trust and represented CapitaLand Mall Trust Management on the S$8.27bn proposed merger of CapitaLand Mall Trust and CapitaLand Commercial Trust. It has an ever-growing reputation in cross-border ASEAN deals, leveraging its own presence and top-drawer contacts throughout the region. The immensely experienced Lim Mei and highly-rated Christian Chin now co-head the practice, which includes top practitioner Andrew Lim. Christopher Koh has emerged as a major name in big-ticket deals, notably in the real estate segment, and Prawiro Widjaja is highly rated for Singapore and Indonesia transactions.

WongPartnership LLP is at the forefront of the burgeoning private equity market in Singapore and Southeast Asia, though is equally at home in corporate transactions and strategic M&A. The firm continues to make an impression in real estate (including REIT) deals, corporate restructurings, takeovers, and M&A. The firm advised the manager of CapitaLand Commercial Trust on the merger of CapitaLand Commercial Trust and CapitaLand Mall Trust by way of a trust scheme of arrangement to form the third-largest REIT in the Asia-Pacific region. It has achieved further prominence in e-commerce, fintech, start-up, and venture capital transactions. Andrew Ang leads the team and remains noted for high-value strategic M&A and private equity deals. Ng Wai King is the managing partner but continues to be a major figure in private equity and M&A.

Morgan Lewis Stamford LLC primarily operates in the public company space, covering large-cap, mid-cap, and smaller businesses, including those listed on the Singapore Exchange and its Catalist board, the growth company-oriented exchange. It is very much a fine local Singapore firm that is part of a prominent international brand. Well plugged into the oil and gas industry, the Singapore team has advised on a series of asset disposals, distressed transactions, and diversification-driven deals linked to the financial troubles in the sector. Reverse takeovers are another forte for the firm. Wai Ming Yap, Bernard Lui, and Joo Khin Ng are rated for public company deals, while Suet-Fern Lee is a leader in cross-border and international transactions.

Rajah & Tann Singapore LLP is a major player in Singapore takeovers, while its dynamic regional and international profile has enabled it to land a high market share of cross-border deals, particularly in Southeast Asia; Myanmar is one particular jurisdiction where the firm has advised on a series of headline transactions. The firm has achieved further prominence in REITs and trusts M&A. Healthcare, banking, and insurance M&A are also fortes for the Singapore team. The firm has an outstanding record in public M&A and competing takeovers. Sandy Foo is rated for high-value M&A and private equity transactions.

TSMP Law Corporation's compact corporate practice frequently earns highly-prized engagements from the market. In recent years it has landed headline deals in the REIT, hospitality, and resources sectors. It has worked on a series of high-value mergers in the REIT space and some of the largest transactions in the hotel sector. The firm is frequently chosen as counsel to financial advisors to major M&A transactions. Stefanie Yuen Thio is a prominent dealmaker and Jennifer Chia is at the forefront of corporate real estate transactions.

Bird & Bird ATMD LLP is further building its standing in venture capital, mid-cap M&A, reverse takeovers and public M&A. Power and renewable energy is another forte for the Singapore team. The group is also active in global and multi-jurisdictional transactions, working alongside colleagues around the world. Life sciences, technology, and energy remain key segments for the Singapore office. In headline deals, the team acted as Singapore counsel to Telenor Group in the merger of 701Search with online marketplace operator Carousell. Marcus Chow heads the Singapore team and has an extensive record in M&A, venture capital, and capital markets transactions.

CNPLaw LLP has further evolved its practice to include a greater share of cross-border and ASEAN deals, including Indonesia, Myanmar, and Laos. It continues to expand its portfolio of Chinese clients and is building its name in the start-up and venture capital segment. Ken Chia leads the department, which includes experienced and versatile practitioners Bill Jamieson and Amit Dhume.

Drew & Napier LLC's corporate practice operates in the shadow of the firm's giant dispute resolution department, but has achieved considerable recognition for representing prominent corporates and financial investors in public M&A, take privates, and other transactions. Consultant Gary Pryke remains an important member of the team. Department head Steven Lo has also landed major roles on a series of headline deals, as has Jon Nair; they both advised Rothschild & Co Singapore, the financial adviser to CapitaLand on its acquisition of Ascendas and Singbridge.

Shook Lin & Bok LLP has earned recognition for its experience and expertise in representing Asian, European, and North American multinationals and financial investors in cross-border and multi-jurisdictional deals. The financial institutions, pharmaceuticals, healthcare, energy, real estate, construction, and transportation sectors are amongst its areas of particular expertise. Department head David Chong is noted for his record in TMT, energy, and natural resources. Mark Wong, an expert in China investments into Southeast Asia, has joined from Duane Morris & Selvam LLP.

Duane Morris & Selvam LLP has a mix of Singapore and international law expertise within the team. The wider international firm has made bold investments into building a Southeast Asia presence, affording the Singapore team with heightened opportunities in Vietnam and Myanmar especially. Technology, energy, life sciences, and private equity are particular fortes for the team. Krishna Ramachandra leads the team and has a particularly strong record in fintech and TMT. Leon Yee is noted for China-related transactions and Gerard Hekker for Indonesia deals. Jonathan Crandall has joined as a director from Clifford Chance.

Prolegis LLC is the local law alliance partner of Herbert Smith Freehills LLP, the two firms frequently working together on cross-border transactions. The team is also tightly integrated into the international firm's energy and TMT practices. The senior group was further augmented by the arrival of Ralph Lim from OC Queen Street in August 2020. Ban Leong Oo has an outstanding record in big-ticket transactions, and is English and Singapore qualified. Sandra Tsao is another senior figure, who worked alongside Herbert Smith Freehills LLP colleagues to advise TPG Telecom on its spin-out from TPG and listing in Singapore.

Quahe Woo & Palmer LLC continues to make an impression in private equity transactions and M&A involving private equity portfolio companies. The firm also represents multinational corporates and Singapore-listed businesses. Moreover, the corporate team has attracted further engagements from China and Hong Kong-listed companies. Kenneth Leong has emerged as a fine talent in the M&A and private equity fields.

Virtus Law LLP - Stephenson Harwood (Singapore) Alliance has achieved further growth in private equity transactions in Southeast Asia jurisdictions such as Indonesia, Vietnam, Philippines, Singapore, Malaysia, and Myanmar. The firm also remains active in the healthcare, technology and telecoms, wealth management, and maritime sectors. Elaine Beh leads the team, which includes Parikhit Sarma, a prominent player in the healthcare sector, and shipping industry specialist Jason Yang.

Withers KhattarWong LLP continues to leverage its private wealth expertise and standing to further build its corporate practice. The firm is achieving a greater share of larger and headline deals. Notably, it advised PT PLTG Celukan Bawang, the Indonesian power plant owner, on its joint venture and cooperation with Shanghai Electric Group to develop, build and own a gas-fired power plant in Indonesia valued at over $1.3bn. Real estate, hotels and leisure, financial services, technology, sports and fitness, media, and construction are also buoyant sectors for the firm. Daniel Yong now leads the practice having joined from Morgan Lewis Stamford LLC. Winston Seow is another highly experienced practitioner.